New Freedom Graduation: A Journey of Transformation

March 12, 2025

By Brendan Baptiste (email) Communications Office

The New Freedom program at Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) recently celebrated the graduation of participants who have dedicated themselves to breaking free from gang life. This milestone is a story of personal growth, healing, and transformation.

New Freedom was originally founded by an incarcerated individual who, after taking a life in gang violence, sought to create a space for others to escape the cycle of gang involvement. Though the program temporarily faded after the COVID-19 pandemic, Superintendent Jack Warner and a dedicated group of individuals revived it, ensuring its mission continued.

“I heard that there was a space where individuals that have lived a lifestyle like myself were able to come together and be vulnerable, be open and actually share a safe environment with one another,” says Jeremy, incarcerated individual. “There aren’t many safe spaces like this in the Department of Corrections, so I felt like I had to be a part of it."

The program provides a structured environment where participants can reflect on their past actions, share their experiences, and support one another in building a new path. The facilitators, who are previous graduates of the program, guide discussions on accountability, self-improvement, and the steps needed to reintegrate into society with a renewed sense of purpose.

Initially, some participants were hesitant, unsure if they could truly trust the process. However, as the weeks went by, they found comfort in the shared experience and were able to become their authentic selves.

Graduation day was an emotional moment for many, as was the case for incarcerated individual Trayvon McCoy, who had dropped out of school in the 10th grade, described the joy of donning a cap and gown for the first time. “I never finished school, so being able to experience this was incredible.”

The impact of New Freedom continues to grow as graduates are committed to building community at MCC and beyond. At its heart, New Freedom is about reclaiming identity and purpose.

“These guys are more than their worst day,” Superintendent Jack Warner emphasized. “I see them laugh together, cry together, and most of all, heal together.”